“In a business like cigars, where unit volume is growing 10% plus year-over-year, emerging strategic thinking in convenience retail suggests that retailers can grow even faster by employing a “price-for-volume” strategy for key products.” David Bishop, partner, Willard Bishop This summer, we examined how convenience retailers could manage the cigar category differently to realize above-market

You’ve certainly heard the old saying: “Our people are our greatest asset.” We all know what the phrase intends to convey, but, if you think about it, the analogy is clumsy at best. In the real world, assets are things that can be bought, sold or traded, like buildings, equipment, patents, systems and secret ingredients.

C-store chain also announced Ronald Lamb will retire as an executive officer effective April 30. Casey’s General Stores Inc. said second quarter profits increased 62% to $27.7 million from $17.2 million a year ago. Sales for the quarter, which ended Oct. 31, totaled $1.19 billion, up from $1 billion a year ago. Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s,

Convenience Store Decisions Group acquired by Harbor Communications, a publishing firm led by CSD founder Bill Donohue, Dan Ramella and Tom McIntyre. The Convenience Store Decisions Group has been acquired by Harbor Communications, the Westlake, Ohio-based publisher of Club & Resort Business. Terms were not disclosed. The deal, which includes Convenience Store Decisions magazine, CSDecisions.com,

Chain recognized as top firm to work for in the state…again. Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania ranked Sheetz Inc. No. 12 on its list of 100 top companies for 2007 and the top retailer among them. The Altoona, Pa.-based convenience store chain has been given that honor for the past six years. Sheetz, which

Companies frequently develop vision and mission statements about being number one in their industry, the great service they provide to customers, and their rewarding work environment. Yet more often than not, these statements are so far from reality that they become joke fodder for customers and employees alike. It doesn’t have to be this way,

Career Management Survey identifies metrics for keeping key personnel onboard. Findings from a recent survey of human resources executives at retail companies point to the industry’s accelerated efforts to reduce turnover in their store management ranks, according to Career Management, the retail executive recruiting firm which conducted the study. The survey covered a range of

Kum & Go, a division of Krause Gentle Corp. that operates 445 in 13 has named Brian Boettcher as director of information technology. Boettcher of Waukee, Iowa, has been with West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go for seven years and most recently held the position of director of network operations. As director of information

Replaces retiring Donald Paul, Paul Siegele named vice president of strategic planning. Chevron Corp. has promoted John McDonald, the current vice president of strategic planning, to chief technology officer, succeeding Donald Paul, who will retire from the company in 2008 after more than 32 years of service. Paul Siegele, currently vice president of deepwater exploration/projects,

Thomas brought in to take care of NACS Show and more. Meredith Thomas has joined NACS as its director of meetings & special events. Thomas will be responsible for many of the activities related to the convenience and petroleum association’s events, including the NACS Show, which is one of the 50 largest annual trade shows

Brian Matlock and David St. Clair join as a senior executive recruiter. Executive Leadership Solutions, an executive search firm that specializes in recruitment for the convenience store, petroleum and related supplier industries, has added two former convenience store executives to recruiting team: David A. St. Clair and Brian Matlock have joined the company as senior

The York, Pa-basedcompany replaced the vice president position with a director of human resources.Schultz will be responsible for overseeing theentire human resources department, including employee benefits, policies and payroll.She will also oversee hiring new employeesfor rutter’s 51 convenience stores in centralPennsylvania. Potential hires can apply forretail positions at any store or through thecompany Web site.

CEO hires on two former 7-Eleven executives to round out management team. Blockbuster Inc.’s Chief Operating Officer Nick Shepherd has revealed that he will be leaving the company at the end of September, and two former 7-Eleven Inc. executives are coming on board. Blockbuster Chairman and CEO Jim Keyes will be bringing on old 7-Eleven

Company goes to new lengths in order to fill a shallow labor pool. Alimentation Couche-Tard, Convenience Store Decisions’ 2007 Chain of the Year, has started a new campaign to bring new blood into its labor-starved Alberta market. The company has begun recruiting in Ontario and the Maritimes, offering enticements such as apartments and regular flights

by John Lofstock, Editor Convenience Store Decisions’ Power 25 recognizes industry pioneers, association executives and lawmakers that shape the way the convenience store industry operates. These influential business leaders are being selected for the lasting contributions they have made to the convenience channel and the impact their influence has on shaping the future of convenience

Fieldhouse named VP, GM for convenience channels. General Mills has appointed Tim Fieldhouse to vice president, general manager, Convenience Channels. In his new role, Fieldhouse is responsible for General Mills’ business in key segments including Convenience Stores, Vending, and Non-Food Retailers in addition to the company’s Restaurant Accounts business segment. Prior to his current role,

Every year, thousands of employers fail to claim their fair share of the billions of dollars in government tax credits and incentive programs set aside for them. If you’ve never claimed yours, then the question is: “Why?” Maybe you just didn’t know about these federal and state programs designed to encourage employers to hire members

Ten convenience store employees receive memorial Jim Yates award. NACS announced the 10 convenience store employees who are recipients of a 2007 NACS Yates Scholarship, which annually recognizes employees in the convenience store industry based on their dedication to achieving excellence in retailing, strong leadership skills at the store level, and persistence in the pursuit

Duo receives “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award from Ernst & Young. David Wiessman, chairman of Dallas-based Alon USA Energy, Inc., and Jeff Morris, president and CEO of Alon, have been named Entrepreneurs of the Year (EoY) in the Energy, Chemicals and Mining category by Ernst & Young. This honor recently was awarded to Wiessman and

Companies and candidates need to be diligent in their career search, but should rest easy in knowing that their confidentiality will not be compromised. by Haskel Thompson, National Executive Personnel Imagine that you are the CEO of a major company in the convenience store industry. A key division manager within the organization has just informed

Executive Leadership Solutions, a search firm that specializes in executive recruitment for the convenience store, petroleum and travel center industries, has signed on Robert “Bob” Iezzi as a senior executive recruiter. Iezzi is no stranger to the convenience store industry. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family he was behind the counter at a very young

Replaces Daniel Kelly who will retire in November. The Pantry Inc. has appointed Frank Paci to fill the newly vacant chief financial officer role. Paci, 49, joins The Pantry from Blockbuster, where he was executive vice president and operated finance, strategic planning and business development. His role will begin July 2 when he replaces Daniel

Conn replaces Manzoni as chief executive of refining and marketing. BP has appointed Iain Conn has been appointed chief executive of the company’s refining and marketing business starting June 1, 2007. He replaces John Manzoni who is leaving BP after 24 years’ service. Manzoni has agreed with the board that, following a three-month handover period,

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